Reward money in Dorner case comes into question

While the manhunt for fired LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner was in progress last month, rewards in excess of $1 million were offered in connection with the case, but some groups that pledged money are reconsidering, saying their criteria were not met.

Two claims have been made on the money since Dorner's death Feb. 12 -- by a couple near Big Bear who were tied up and whose car was stolen, and by a man whose pickup truck Dorner later hijacked.

However, some who pledged money have said they offered the reward for information that would have led to the arrest and conviction of Dorner, neither of which occurred, the Los Angeles Times reported. Dorner committed suicide while cornered in a burning cabin near Big Bear.

The Los Angeles Police Department, responding to the arguments donors have made publicly, said the money should be paid.

Much of the confusion surrounding the conditions of the reward began with the language used by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in his announcement of a $1 million reward.

Donors specified that the money they pledged was for Dorner's arrest and conviction. But Villaraigosa broadened it to "capture" in his public remarks -- and some have argued that the word could be interpreted to include Dorner's being surrounded in a cabin before he committed suicide, The Times reported.

Police believe Dorner went on a 10-day killing rampage of revenge against law enforcement officials whom he blamed for his 2009 firing from the force. He is thought to have killed Riverside Police Officer Michael Crain; San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremiah MacKay; Monica Quan, the daughter of a retired LAPD captain; and Quan's fiance, Keith Lawrence.

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